The Press Gang (US)

“[The] CD had me listed as leader, basically. It was founded by George Salley (captain of the Godspeed recreation voyage in 1985, former NASA engineer, and me right after I moved to VA. On the album (Chesapeake Sailor’s Companion): John Townley, Christine Townley, Capt. George Salley (deceased), Anne Waple (or Anne DeNitto) (deceased), Jack Fontanella (deceased), Bill Henry, and live occasionally one other, including Charles O’Hegarty (deceased) earlier of The Starboard List. Began in Virginia in 1981-82 and lasted until the early 1990s. Toured England (1984, 86, 87) and Poland (87), sporadically in U.S. after that.” — from an email from John Townley, 20 Dec 2024.

John Townley was credited by the publisher, Adelphi Records, for being the head of The Press Gang for the recording A Chesapeake Sailor’s Companion.  “This release is part of the Maritime Music International Series. Look for upcoming additions from Adelphi Records. John Townley leads the Press Gang — a group of friends and fellow musicians who were ‘shanghaied’ into a recording studio for these sessions. Among their number are cellist Anne Waple, pianist Blanton Bradley and grand champion Scots fiddler John Turner.”

“Anne was also a member of the Press Gang, a sea shanty group, performing in the United States at “Sail Boston,” for the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, and in multiple tours of the United Kingdom and Poland.” – from Annie Wapel DeNitto’s obituary.

There was a Polish label, Skipper, that produced two cassettes with The Press Gang.  One was an album by the group called, To Portsmouth.  Used copies are occasionally available on Discogs.  There was also a compilation album produced by the label for the Merseyside International Festival of Sea Music, called Liverpool 2 1986 – 1989.  (This suggests that there was a Liverpool 1 also produced, but there is currently no evidence of it found on the internet as of 27 Dec 2024.  There IS a Liverpool 1986-1989 3 on Discogs!)  The compilation contained tracks by notable figures on the maritime music scene such as Stormalong John, Stan Hugill, the Shanty Crew, Jim Mageean, Tony Davis (of The Spinners) and the Press Gang.